Oct 27, 2011

This is what happens when you live in the Lebanese "culturally-modified" society.

Yes, it is a fact that Lebanese, at least most of them, know 2-3 languages and, well, tend to use them in everyday life. Whether in the form of tag words, complete sentence or even in advertising, this mutli-faceted "lingo" (probably a dialect by now) is affecting the view of life in general, as it is.

To be clearer, all this came to my mind when i was driving one day on the road (as always, i do get those ideas when i drive, it's amazing right?). So, yes, as I was driving, i passed by a billboard that said in Arabic writing

"?يا عيب الشوم! وين المشروم" (shame on you! where is the mushroom?)

Obviously, this is a mushroom Ad. However, the funny thing or rather the clever thing, maybe, is the use of a usual Lebanese word to mean shame, rhyming with mushroom to create this advertisement.

The idea behind this article is a kind of reply to all those who criticize us, Lebanese, of using many languages (usually English and French combined to Arabic) in one sentences such as "Hi! Kifak! Ca va?". It is because of this diverse ability to use multiple languages that we are able to better understand the world around us and probably this is the main reason behind which many artists succeed in the world. Either they are Lebanese or come of Lebanese origins. I may not have the specific examples to give right now (so if you have any, do share them please). But this isn't the issue for the time being.

I am only trying to showcase an ingenuity and an authentic understanding of languages in general. Do tell me when has any foreign Ad used more than one language in its advertising campaigns? Yes, Only in Lebanon! and i do strongly hold on to that.

I may have be looking through some tainted glass. But for the time being, these glasses suit me greatly. As much as I have become tired of the many upsetting conditions in Lebanon, as much I am trying to see the other side of things.

Oct 11, 2011

Their whole idea of a cup of coffee is a get-together photo-shoot session.

With every passer by at their table, a new camera pops up and a lesson on how to trigger the button to catch their marked faces with smeared mascara and smudged red lipstick.

And boy wouldn’t I save words to describe their blank smiles to show off their white teeth. However, to be truly loyal to facts, some would give you the duck face position to show off their botox-ed lips.

As I follow them inside the coffee shop to order my bottle of water, I have to wait for them to decide which coffee to choose: cafe latte? American coffee?? oh no... wait EXpresso???

And the poor cashier rolls the eyes, puffs the air and takes a deep breath in preparation for the long stare at the screen, awaiting their minds to process their order.

It might seem a judgmental scene, but really, observing those little women makes you realize the void of society. Or is it really as such? Isn’t this the ontological condition of women in the Middle East, especially in Beirut, at ABC mall?

And I almost forgot the tiny slim cigarettes in their ringed fingers, barely able to stand still from the weight of their huge, glittery bedazzled jewelry.

And I wonder whether I am seeing them with tainted goggles or whether this blemished scene is the actual real one.

After all, this was one six-hour setting in ABC. Maybe a full day can bring better scenes? Maybe a week can get more degrading view of the society of Lebanese sororities.

About Me

I am a memory,
A flashback, a thought,
A falling image,
A silent ghost.
Roaming above you,
In the deadly cold.
Calling upon you,
Come, behold:
The magic moment,
The flattering scene;
The awakened spirit
No one's ever seen.
The curtains fall,
Cheer and applause.
Sighs and relief.
I am but a thief!